How to Make a Shirt Smaller
If you want to shrink a shirt, use high heat. Boiling hot water causes the fibers of the shirt to contract, causing it to shrink smaller. The agitation of the washing machine in top load machines crinkles fabrics, causing more shrinkage. If you only want your shirt to shrink a little, wash it in cool water and dry it on the highest setting.
Cut the seams of the shirt you want to make smaller. Cut along the sleeve’s seam to open the sleeves into a flat piece of fabric. Pin the pattern shirt to the larger shirt to hold it in place. Sew the sleeve to the shirt using a serge or zig-zag stitch to connect the sleeve to the shirt. Turn the shirt inside out to create a hem that goes inside when turned inside out.
Can you make a large T-shirt smaller?
Then, fold the t-shirt right sides together and sew the underarm and side seams with a stretch stitch. If desired, cut the t-shirt shorter and hem it with a knit hem.
How can I make a large shirt fit better?
Open the first two buttons for a more casual look (this makes a looser fitting shirt look less disheveled). Use a military tuck to tighten excess fabric and create a slimmer fit. Roll up the sleeves to trim too long or loose fitting fabric.
How do you make big clothes smaller?
It’s easy to shrink 100% cotton:
- Wash the garment in hot water and dry it on high heat.
- Check the garment periodically during the drying cycle to make sure it hasn’t shrunk too much.
- When it’s the right size, turn the dryer down to low heat or air and dry it gently the rest of the way.
What size should I get for an oversized shirt?
If you just want a piece to be a little looser than it should be, stay two to three sizes smaller than your standard size to avoid unflattering all-over bagginess.